His ruin

A call for survival

"Why me?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.

Jane smiled sadly.

"Because I see myself in you." She paused before continuing. "You don't have to give me an answer now. Sleep on it." I slowly rose to my feet.

"I have to go."

She nodded.

"It was nice seeing you again after all these years."

Without another word, I rushed to the door and threw it open.

"Emilia, wait…"

I slammed the door shut behind me before she could finish.

Not wasting another second, I sprinted toward the elevator, hugging my bag tightly against my chest. My trembling finger repeatedly pressed the button for the first floor.

The doors slid shut just as I heard footsteps approaching.

Thank God...

I leaned against the mirrored wall as the elevator descended. Tears clouded my vision.

Has my life really fallen this low?, to the point where someone is offering me money to strip just so I can survive?

Why is my life so different from everyone else's?

Why has suffering become so familiar that it has practically made itself at home inside my life?

The elevator chimed.

I stepped outside, taking one last glance at the luxurious residence before walking away. It looked like a dream, a world that had never belonged to someone like me.

I flagged down another taxi.

At this rate, all my money is going to disappear on cab fares alone.

After giving the driver the hospital's address, I leaned my forehead against the cool window. London's streets blurred together as exhaustion finally overtook me.

I closed my eyes...

…

"Ma'am... we're here."

I jolted awake.

I must have fallen asleep during the ride.

Paying the driver, I muttered a quiet “thank you” before stepping out and walking straight back into the reality I had desperately wanted to escape.

The hospital lobby was unusually quiet.

Charlotte should still be asleep, maybe I could steal a few minutes of rest beside her.

With that thought, I pushed open her room.

The bed was empty ". Charlotte?…" my heart skipped.

I rushed into the bathroom.

Nothing.

"Charlotte!"

Panic exploded inside me.

I bolted into the hallway.

"Charlotte!"

My voice echoed through the corridor, drawing startled looks from patients and nurses alike.

"Ma'am? Where have you been? We've been trying to reach you."

"Where is my sister?"

"I'm sorry, but you need to calm down."

"Calm down?" My voice cracked. "Tell me where my sister is!"

"Please... follow me. Dr. Howell is waiting for you at the reception."

"You still haven't answered my question."

"The doctor will explain everything."

Reluctantly, I followed.

Every step felt heavier than the last, my mind had already created a hundred terrifying possibilities.

By the time we reached the reception desk, Dr. Howell was speaking with one of the clerks.

The moment he saw me, his expression changed.

"Doctor..." I rushed toward him. "Where is my sister?"

He gently guided me to one side.

"Emilia calm down, your sister is alive, but her condition has suddenly worsened."

"W...What happened?"

"Charlotte's leukemia has caused her platelet count to drop to an extremely dangerous level. Platelets help the blood clot, and because she has so few, she developed internal bleeding around her spleen. The bleeding has become severe enough that we need to perform emergency surgery to stop it."

I stared blankly at him.

"Surgery?"

"Yes." He nodded patiently.

"This isn't surgery to cure her leukemia. Leukemia is treated with chemotherapy, targeted medication, or, in some cases, a bone marrow transplant. But before we can continue any of those treatments, we have to stabilize her."

He continued gently,

"Right now, our priority is saving her life. We need to control the bleeding, repair the damage, and, if necessary, remove the damaged spleen. Without this operation, she could lose too much blood or develop life-threatening complications."

My knees almost gave way.

"So... she's dying?"

"If we don't act immediately..." he sighed. " Her chances become much smaller."

My breathing became uneven.

"We've already prepared the operating theater."

Then his expression grew apologetic.

"But, Emilia... hospital policy requires payment before we can proceed."

The words hit harder than anything else.

"My hands are tied." He placed a comforting hand on my shoulder. The receptionist will prepare the necessary documents."

"I'm truly sorry."

Before I could even process what was happening, he hurriedly walked away.

Everything became blurry, the receptionist's voice... People walking... Phones ringing...

It all sounded distant.

I grabbed onto the counter before collapsing.

"Ma'am!" Someone caught me.

A few minutes later, I found myself seated in the hospital lounge with a bottle of water pressed into my hands.

"I need to make a call." Nothing else mattered.

Digging through my bag, I pulled out my phone.

I stared at the only two numbers I had called today.

After a long hesitation...

I selected one.

It rang only once.

"Emilia?"

"Please," I whispered. "I need your help…. Jane”

"Okay. Where are you?" There was no hesitation.

"I'm at St. Mary's Hospital, Paddington."

"I'm on my way."

"I don't have time, Jane..." The call ended.

I finally drank some water, forcing myself to breathe.

Charlotte... Please hold on.

My phone suddenly rang again.

Without checking the screen, I answered.

"Jane? Are you here already?"

A deep voice growled through the speaker.

"Jane? Who the hell is Jane?" My blood froze.

Damien.

Without another word, I ended the call.

Why is he calling me now?

After everything he did...

The phone rang again. I declined it.

Again.

Again.

Again.

Frustrated beyond reason, I switched it off completely before hurling it onto the floor.

The screen shattered instantly.

So did I.

Bowing my head, I buried my face in my hands as silent sobs escaped me.

Then there was a tap on my shoulder

A pair of elegant cream-colored heels stopped in front of me.

Slowly, I looked up.

Jane.

The moment I saw her, every wall I had built collapsed, I threw myself into her arms.

She hugged me tightly.

"It's okay," she whispered softly.

"Let it all out."

….

"And that's how I've spent the last several years, Trying to survive... while keeping Charlotte alive." I finished quietly.

I tilted my head upward, desperately trying to stop the tears.

Jane let out a long breath.

"That's... a lot." She squeezed my hand.

"But listen to me, Emilia."

"You're one of the strongest women I've ever met."

A weak laugh escaped me.

"I can't do it anymore."

"My sister is lying in there... and I can't save her."

I looked down.

"That's why I called you."

"I don't know what to do anymore."Fresh tears rolled down my cheeks.

Jane gently lifted my chin.

"Emilia, Look at me."I met her eyes.

"I'll handle this."

"Okay?"She stood.

"Wait here."

Confused, I watched her walk toward the reception desk.

She spoke with the receptionist who lead here somewhere further into the hospital hallway .

Nearly thirty minutes later...She returned.

"I spoke with Dr. Howell." She says "They're preparing Charlotte for surgery now."

I blinked.

"What?”

"The operation is about to begin."

Joy and confusion collided inside me.

"How...?"

Jane smiled as if she'd done nothing extraordinary.

"I paid the hospital bill."

For several seconds, I simply stared at her.

Then I burst into tears again and hugged her with everything I had.

"You've saved her…you saved my sister."

She laughed softly despite nearly losing her balance.

"It's okay."

"Think of it as one friend helping another."

She glanced at her watch.

"I wish I could stay...But my shift starts in about forty-five minutes."

“Oh okay” I said,my mind wondering to the job she’s referring to

“ I will call you Emilia” she made to leave but I hugged her once more

“ Thank you, and I will like to take up that proposal you made earlier , that’s if it’s still open” I whispered to her ears and broke away from the hug

“ you sure girl?”Jane raised an eyebrow.

“ Yhh…I think “ i said, shrugging my shoulders

For a brief moment, silence settled between us.

Then a slow smile spread across her face.

"I was hoping you would say that." she nodded in understanding before walking away

I watched her disappear down the corridor

Although I have no idea of what I have consented to.

But one thing was clear to me, that whatever awaits me there will certainly not kill me …..that the choice I had just made would change the course of my life.

Or so I thought